malbena said:

Militant said:

Right now it's a little weird to me - and I'll say this openly - to sometimes see entire discussions being dominated by people who signed up AFTER April 21st.

I understand that's it's par for the course, and I think a lot of these people will likely move on over time. But prior to April 21st, the community felt very tight and safe, and his passing has hit us like an atom bomb and scattered our sense of self as long term fans.

I'm absolutely not saying that there's not a place for new fans - there is and always will be. But prior to his passing, anyone who had been here for a few years, we were here when what he was doing wasn't newsworthy, when the public weren't checking for him, when he really needed us to be there.

And I could relate to damn near everyone. Because I can relate to anyone that at some point discovered Prince's music and fell in love - that's all of our stories.

What I can't relate to is people that only decided to become fans because he died and his death was mysterious and in the news all the time - and then they come here and barely talk about his music but only about his passing. I just..... I don't get that. The music is not secondary to anything. If that's your perspective then you missed his entire message.

It's different. Prince kept us on our toes in more ways than one! But the org will always be home.

thats quite harsh. i was on here years ago & stayed for many, many years BUT left becuase this so called tight & safe community ended up anything but that! I left becuase it was a vile place where Prince couldn't do even the smallest everyday thing without receiving hate. I came back because the newer blood actually added something new & more positive. Likewise the quickest way for uptodate news & direct interaction is on other social media. The org is a handy 'Plan C'.

Genesia said:

Not as much as I did. There's no future - no sense of "what will he do next"?

A lot of stuff got rehashed before he was gone, of course - but now that's all there is. We're all just chasing our tails. There will be nothing new.

Have to say that Questlove playing all those unreleased snippets got me excited again, there will be a lot new - the estate have no choice but to release vault stuff, there will be books, DVD's etc. The biggest part [our beloved Prince] is missing but the journey will continue....alas I have little faith in the drivers!

I do, but our main reason for being here is gone - the collective anticipation is gone but I still enjoy the people here. They've helped me with much needed laughs...it was getting dire there for awhile.

If you want more substantive conversations and threads, start them and participate in them. Thats really easy.

Much easier than policing what others do in other threads you dont like.

You can create whatever discussion and environment you like here and discuss with likeminded others. It's always been like that, and will always be like that.

Yes and no...

I love reading old threads, and many org members still make me laugh/smile so I'll make a point to check on threads they've created and/or posts they've made.

I do feel guilty about not participating in discussions, not that I was much of a poster before 4/21, but I'm even more at a loss for words than before. I lurk daily. I just can't get motivated enough to comment.

Hopefully that will change... Baby steps!

I still like coming here. There is still plenty of music to discuss and I hope that the vault will produce more music that we can discuss.

I try to not become a bother or rude to anyone in the hotter threads (Mayte's book, etc.) and I do like to discuss the old footage and possible tributes.

terrig said:

feeluupp said:

luxegolightly said:

Sure, I need the support, this is a difficult experience I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd encounter. Talk about blindsided. Some of the youthful enthusiasm has been enlightening. In fact it's nice to get a new perspective and see him from a different angle, it lends a type of excitement that I know I'm going to miss in my life down the road. It doesn't happen every day but there are those lightbulb moments that make it worth it. There's always been stupid threads so that hardly bothers me, some of them if they catch me just right can be amusing for a minute on a boring or bad day.

Yes, I enjoy it now more than ever. The only other site I check more is the Drudge Report.

The Org is a great site and Prince fans are smarties. (usually)

I hardly ever log in and post but then again I very rarely post on any site.

I'm a bit sensitive to criticism so I just browse.

A casual Prince fan since I saw him for the first time on Solid Gold.

Became a huge fan after seeing the Sign of Times movie and stayed that way until the 1999/12/31 tv show. 1999 is the song that introduced me to Prince is still my favourite. I did the pay for view thing and um stopped listening to Prince for about 4 years. haha

Joined the org in 2004 after being reinvigorated by the Grammy performance. The Musicology album, tour, HoF performance, and tv promos were all as exciting as anything he ever did.

I eventually tuned out again a few years later. I haven't picked up a new Prince album since 3121. Thanks to the Org I was able to catch all the tv appearances though.

Anyways, the point is that I have never tuned out of the Org. Keep up the good work and thank you!

LBrent said:

feeluupp said:

For ex.. Just the first two pages...

PRINCE WISDOM TEETH

DISCUSSING PRINCE'S SEXUALITY

DOES YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER MEET PRINCE

PRINCE'S CLOTHES SNUG TOO TIGHT

....

Let's discuss his music, history, not stupid stuff.

Um. Sooooooo, threads about topics that you aren't personally interested in and are being enjoyed by others are keeping you from creating threads about topics that you are personally interested in and enjoy. Wow.

yup.

not interested in discussing his wisdom teeth, or how snug his clothes fit on him... like i said, that's for the middle aged female housewife prince fans, that start the threads... i had a dream about prince today...

I am new here, so my opinion may not count to the long-time orgers, but a little levity goes a long way when the only other things to talk about are, basically, Prince lying dead in an elevator for hours and how did he get to that point.

Sometimes...I have to get on here sparingly now though...It used to be that coming on here and finding out what Princey was doing would be the first thing I did before heading off to school in the morning. It was like this for years...so it is different now. Seeing the "We All Mourn His Loss" on the home page is still difficult to see so I avoid it for the most part. As for new members, I don't mind them. Some are pretty cool. The only thing that annoys me is the repetitive threads and questions. I understand they are new but a lot of what they ask can easily be found by using the search engine. I think it's just more difficult because it isn't NEW Prince news. People are joinging to find out more about him whereas a lot of us that have been here a while came here to get the news on what he was up to at that moment. I also miss a lot of the old people that used to be on here. In middle school, I made friends with this Australian girl that was around my age. I would love to get back in touch with her, but I don't remember my old username and password to find old org notes.... Reach out if you think you're her!

Anyway, the org had it's tough times too, I left (while still lurking of course ) on several occasions not becasue people were just being mean to each other, but they were being VERY hateful to Prince. Not to say that he was a saint and that people can't have their opinions, but a lot of people on here were just NASTY. And it breaks my heart to know that P read A LOT of that. I remember when LotusFlower came out and being so excited to talk about it (as none of my friends really understood) and a lot of people tore it apart. After Musicology...what happened to some of you guys?? That always confused me...

@ Militant: I know how you feel. I have been on the org since I was nine and a lot of the newer people being here can be sad. But a lot are still pretty cool. Even though I rejoined and you don't know me personally, it has been great coming here for many years. And I have enjoyed reading some of your posts and OldFriends4Sale

I also miss housequake and princefams A LOT! And the little I could view on NPGMC without paying I was on those sites before coming here. Housequake introduced me to a ton of stuff. A shame Prince wouldn't let those places thrive. Which I do understand why. I just miss it .

Coming to the org is nice sometimes but I notice myself being on here less and less. Either because it's too sad or because the threads are just annoying...

What happened? I don't get it. I thought I would get to see him. What the actual fuck? It also makes me sad learning how accessible he could be at times. I hate this. I really do

I have a question. Even though we are all grieving on here, do any of you feel like no one is grieving quite like you are? Even though I feel like no on understands better than us. Don't you still feel alone? Probably because no one I know (in my personal life) loves him like I do.

Only once in a blue moon these days. Most of the old whores are gone and the majority of the Music: Non-Prince section these days looks like The Mickey Mouse Club. With all that bad taste up in there, I wonder how those folks were ever Prince fans to begin with. It didn't use to be like that though. The Non-Prince section back then still reflected the other artists that Prince fans would like because there were tons of funk threads.

Genesia said:

Not as much as I did. There's no future - no sense of "what will he do next"?

A lot of stuff got rehashed before he was gone, of course - but now that's all there is. We're all just chasing our tails. There will be nothing new.

.

Actually, I lurk and check in over in the Prince section much more now than I used to in case there is any news about possible upcoming releases from the vault, preferably unreleased 1980s stuff (especially 1980-1984 stuff) which I would absolutely love to have. In Prince's later years, it had gotten to the point that I could care less if he ever made another album of new material after I heard "Art Official Age" and "Hit N Run (Phase 1).

PURPLEIZED3121 said:

Genesia said:

Not as much as I did. There's no future - no sense of "what will he do next"?

A lot of stuff got rehashed before he was gone, of course - but now that's all there is. We're all just chasing our tails. There will be nothing new.

Have to say that Questlove playing all those unreleased snippets got me excited again, there will be a lot new - the estate have no choice but to release vault stuff, there will be books, DVD's etc. The biggest part [our beloved Prince] is missing but the journey will continue....alas I have little faith in the drivers!

That assumes we ever actually get to hear them (the stuff captured from the PA at First Ave is unlistenable, IMO).

I'm trying not to give into a "That's all, folks!" attitude, but it's very, very difficult.

I have to admit that I joined after 4/21 but have been a prince fam for many years. I didn't know this site existed. I have never been one to participate on forums.

The site and people here have helped with my grieving process. Soon after 4/21 I had to read, listen and watch everything thing I could on P, I guess it made me feel he was still here. Lately, it's been difficult.

The drama and name calling irritates the hell out of me but I gett off the site or move onto another thread.

But for the most part, I have really enjoyed the community and appreciate the shared thoughts and discussions.

Needless to say, things will never be the same without our Prince. Losing Prince has been a devestating loss not only to the purple fams, but the entire world. Prince's music was and will continue to be a huge part of my life. I grew up in the 80s listening to his music and his music helped define our generation.

.

We all are grieving his loss and we all have to respect each other's way of grieving. Sure, some of the posts are "cheesy", and some people can be downright rude and disrespectful, but most of us are kind and compassionate. This is a place for ALL his fams to share thoughts, grieve and just remember the wonderful artist and human being he was!

As a recently new orger, but not a new Prince follower..there are some threads that are better than others. I do like talking about his music and discovering new tracks. I love learning about his methods, his techniques, his protégés, his development. He was a musicians, musician. There are some folks here that know their stuff, it's been a great learning experience and I appreciate it. Some of the threads I can live without and seem shallow and a bit nonsensical but I understand he means different things to different people. Everyone has their reasons for being here, and sometimes I do want to just talk about clothes, hair, girlfriends, sex, the latest gossip. One thing I know is everyone here misses him terribly. I do worry that someday there will be nothing left to talk about and peoples interest will wane. It may happen to me. But in the meantime, I do enjoy it all and I am so glad y'all are here.

malbena said:

Absolutely!!! It is a collective grieving process. I have also come to appreciate many org members.

Oldfriends4sale for him sharing information and doing research, BabyNoz , Nursey, NinaB for their humor and speaking their mind, LauraRichardson for generating interesting topics others would find difficult to initiate, KrystalKisses for sharing opinion in a respectful and loving manner. and many more who have made that it the reason why I come in everyday.

Thanks....

terrig said:

I do, but our main reason for being here is gone - the collective anticipation is gone but I still enjoy the people here. They've helped me with much needed laughs...it was getting dire there for awhile.

If you want more substantive conversations and threads, start them and participate in them. Thats really easy.

Much easier than policing what others do in other threads you dont like.

You can create whatever discussion and environment you like here and discuss with likeminded others. It's always been like that, and will always be like that.

Exactly.

The thing that is so hypocritical about the ageist and sexist bigots on the org is that not a single one of them has ever criticized Prince for actually writing and performing in a sexually provocative way....not one.

But somehow it's okay to label anyone who discusses those things middle aged, stupid, etc......

In other words, it wasn't wrong for him to do it, its just wrong to talk about it?

Like I said, my super power is the ability to detect BS a mile away.

feeluupp said:

This is still the best place to find other knowledgeable fans and purple archivists to discuss/debate with.
That's enough for me...

[Edited 9/15/16 12:49pm]

babynoz said:

It's not as much fun as it was, for two reasons really.

Firstly, and the obvious one, there is no "now" to discuss. I've always been a fan of the new output and shows, and to me now is not about playing amateur detective / medical examiner / tabloid writer about Prince's death. I have more respect for him than that.

Secondly, the org dynamics have obviously changed dramatically since April.

I love it that newbies get into Prince, but there are different types of newbies. There are ones who are hungry for knowledge on Prince and his music and they are respectful of a long standing and extremely knowledgeable community. On the flip side there are ones who just chuck thread after thread up of stupid topics or fake idolisation.

But I think the real problem is under the skin of some of the new and older accounts that have been inactive for a while. The 'Crazies'

For those that have been here through the years, the biggest threat to this site cohesion was over a decade ago when the NPG site closed down. The NPG forum was like a worshipping cult. When it shut down, they flooded onto the org.

The very people that kept proclaiming "Love4oneanother" spent most of their time writing threads trying to tell everyone how they should behave, what it means to be a "real fam" and thread after thread of idolisation, be it pictures or comments.

Eventually most ran for the hills, but its quite clear quite a few came back for somewhere to preach post April 21st.

I've seem more use of the term "Fam" (which is the big giveaway) and 'Love4oneanother" in the last 3 months than I did for the whole of the last decade.

The problem isn't just here. Facebook threads are being ruined by people constantly posting pictures and hearts every minute.

I worry the org is going down the toilet fast. I think we need a forum change to survive. There should be one for "Prince Music & Video" and another for "gossip and idolisation".

While we are at it, can we tweak the P&R and have a sticky for anything about the "US Election" and another for "American race issues". There is simply no point visiting it anymore as it stands. It makes the volume Jacko threads in the old music forum look like needle in a haystack.